startling
adjective
star·tling
ˈstär-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈstärt-liŋ
: causing fright, surprise, or astonishment
a startling discovery
startlingly
adverb
Examples of startling in a Sentence
Startling new evidence came to light during the trial.
He made a startling discovery.
It is a city of startling contrasts.
Recent Examples on the Web
The film promises audiences a startling wake-up call about what could be in store.
—
Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Dec. 2025
These startling human features belong to a round gray moon, whose cratered surface recalls the acne-scarred cheeks of, say, a fortyish weirdo who still lives with his elderly mother.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
During the interview, Chu gravitates again and again toward the story’s emotional weight and startling modernity.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Dec. 2025
His team’s form, in light of the challenges from the summer and lack of squad evolution, all within the most intense and unforgiving league in the world, is startling.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
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Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Dec. 2025
These startling human features belong to a round gray moon, whose cratered surface recalls the acne-scarred cheeks of, say, a fortyish weirdo who still lives with his elderly mother.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
During the interview, Chu gravitates again and again toward the story’s emotional weight and startling modernity.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Dec. 2025
His team’s form, in light of the challenges from the summer and lack of squad evolution, all within the most intense and unforgiving league in the world, is startling.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for startling
Cite this Entry
“Startling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/startling. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.
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